I had the privilege of driving Ed Strnad's Smart Car, base model, around Redondo Beach. Diminutive, easy to drive, great maneuverability, getting close to 40 mpg with premium unleaded, the car enjoys huge cachet--people ogle, laugh, giggle. It's like a love potion. Everyone wants to be your friend. You're suddenly perceived as a member of the Green Benevolence Tribe.
The car runs smoothly on the city streets. Suspension was smooth enough. I didn't miss the lusty horse-power of my 2007 Maxima. Best of all, this thing is fun and easy to park and doesn't take up a lot of space in the garage. My wife and I stress out every day as we negotiate our Altima and Maxima in and out of our garage. A small car would really lower our stress levels and give us peace of mind.
Driving the Smart car, you realize the car has earned its name.
It was a pleasure to have a f-2-f meeting with you, Jeff.
f you could fit your massively-muscled body into my SmartCar "Pure," and still have room left over for me, I'm sure it could fit just about anyone, except perhaps the fat tubs of goo who frequent all-you-can-eat buffets.
Posted by: Ed S. | May 11, 2008 at 03:25 PM
It was a pleasure to have a f-2-f meeting with you, Jeff.
If you could fit your massively-muscled body into my SmartCar "Pure," and still have room left over for me, I'm sure it could fit just about anyone, except perhaps the fat tubs of goo who frequent all-you-can-eat buffets. Let me know if your wife wants to take it for a spin!
Posted by: Ed S. | May 11, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Thanks for having me over. Carrie already likes the fact that the car can park easily in the garage. I'll extend your invitation to her. Thanks again. Also, I just wish-listed a white WR-2. Jeez.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 11, 2008 at 03:45 PM
An excellent choice for sure as long as you don't need room in the back for a bunch of kids, pets and/or luggage. ;-)
Very popular in busy cities like Rome where you see them parked in the most improbable places. And great for the parallel-parking adverse, as you can usually put two of them sideways in a standard // parking spot (now who pays the meter is another question).
Jeff, as you seem to be heavily invested in Nissan: In Canada they sell the Versa which is a small but roomy vehicle which reportedly gets good mpg. In the hatchback version, there is more legroom in the back than in most vehicles one segment up. I don't know if these are available in the US though.
Posted by: Cyril | May 12, 2008 at 07:43 AM
yeah, the Versa sells here. I think I prefer the look of the Honda Fit, but I'd test-drive a Versa. I don't know if my Max would sell in this fuel environment. Luckily, I only drive 5-6 thousand miles a year.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 12, 2008 at 07:56 AM
If you drive only 5,000 miles a year, then gas mileage is not an issue worth worrying about. Personally, I think the Nissan Versa made the right design tradeoffs in terms of small cars.
Posted by: Tom Welch | May 12, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Tom, as far as fuel mileage goes, you're right. Another issue is the tight garage space. The Max is about 72 inches wide. A 66-inch wide car with a tight turning radius would make a world of difference.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 12, 2008 at 09:30 AM
The Versa is 1.70m (67") wide, almost exactly the same as the former Ford Focus (hatchback), and marginally more that the Fit (which I knew as the «Jazz» before ending up in North America -- wouldn't you rather own a «Jazz» than a «Fit», really...).
When I test-drove a Versa last year the salesman made a point of showing off the tight turning radius, but I expect most smaller cars would be similarly nimble.
Of course the Smart is even smaller -- you could probably fit at least 4 of those (and possibly more) in a 2-car garage...
Posted by: Cyril | May 12, 2008 at 12:04 PM
The city gas mileage of the Versa, 24, is only 1 more than the Altima. The Altima is one inch less wide than my Max and has a tighter turning radius. That's what I'd get. Or the Fit, which is 66 inches wide.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 12, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Checkout the Vespa MP3, a babe magnet if there ever was one, click http://www.gizmag.com/go/5644/ to view this new 3 wheel trike that solves your transportation problems.
Posted by: Tom Welch | May 12, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Tom, my wife has always loved Vespas. Indeed, they are a babe magnet. For me, I need more safety. Every day my wife and ride our bikes to the farmer's market, I feel a deep sense of mortality with all the close calls. People in behemoth SUVs talking on their cell phones, riding all over the place. Sheeesh.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 12, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I won't have the nerve to ride a Vespa either in the South Bay area, even if the thing had 3 wheels. When I was in high school I rode a Cushman scooter...I was fearless then!
Posted by: Tom Welch | May 12, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Congestion gets worse here on Hawthorne every year. Nonstop traffic jam.
Posted by: Jeff McMahon | May 12, 2008 at 02:14 PM
I can remember when you could drive from Long Beach to Santa Monica in 30 minutes on the freeway.
Posted by: Tom Welch | May 12, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Even worse than Hawthorne is Roscrans between the 405 and Sepulveda. A giant parking lot. I NEVER go there.
Posted by: herculodge | May 12, 2008 at 03:23 PM